Monte-Carlo Rally: Gardois Yohan Rossel’s crazy victory by 4 seconds in WRC2

A victory in the first round of the world championship. Photos DPPL/FFSA Damien Saulnier

Le 92e rallye de Monte Carlo a tenu toutes ses promesses. Photos DPPL/FFSA Damien Saulnier – Damien Saulnier

Huitième au scratch, Yohan Rossel s’est imposé en WRC2 (deuxième niveau mondial) à l’issue de l’ultime spéciale lors du 92e rallye de Monte-Carlo. Récit.

Already winners in 2023 in the WRC2 category, Gardois Yohan Rossel and his co-driver Arnaud Dunand (Citroën C3) once again won in the Monte-Carlo, first round of the world rally championship, last weekend. A victory at the end of an impressive fight against the Spaniard Pepe Lopez (Skoda) and the Russian Nicolai Grayzin, their Citroën teammate.

Sunday, in three times, the French won (by 4 seconds!) in a category with 21 competitors, and which foreshadows the future of the WRC because it is more financially accessible. Yohan Rossel, who will be 29 years old on February 13, told all this to Midi Libre before leaving, happily, on his honeymoon…

How do you win in three stages and 15 seconds behind, all on the slopes of the legendary Col de Turini ?

The Monte-Carlo is long, it’s four exhausting days. I now have some experience of this ordeal. During the first three days, my two opponents were wild and in certain times, I was pushing myself hard to grab tenths! On Sunday, with dry ground and a more aggressive transmission, we played our part to finish at the start of the Turini 9 tenths behind. My experience allowed me to approach this final ES (special) lucidly. I had to stay calm and determined. I gave everything. The tires were destroyed on arrival! When I saw that Lopez was losing time in the first intermediate, I felt better…

You will complete the seven rounds of the World Championship with Citroën Belgium, the DG Sports…

I am keeping the 2023 technical team which followed me with PH Sport and Bernard Piallat. I have the same engineer, the same mechanics…hellip; including my friend Thibault Alzapiedie who officiates at Rossel Compétition. I know DG well since its manager, Alain Georges, invited me to the Boucles de Spa which I won in 2021. The Monte-Carlo is a rally that the Citroën Racing technicians master perfectly. Our success comes from careful preparation. Last year, we had difficulty with the soft tires which I overheated. The work of the offseason was in particular to work on these types of problems. Last Sunday, we took two on board as backup, which allowed us to make a difference too.

What does Arnaud bring you? Dunand, your co-pilot ?

He’s a very hard worker. Like me, he comes from the FFSA youth rally sector. From the first tests, when I had to find a new co-pilot, I understood that he would be very effective.

How do you see the rest of the season ?

In February, we will have an engine update on the C3 and others concerning its efficiency on land. I won the asphalt rallies last year, I must now also aim for victories on gravel. It will be exciting, with six drivers capable of winning.

Factory driver in WRC2, what does that mean ?

It’s a job that allows me to live my passion with a fully funded season. I have the label 'broke driver'. I had contacts for WRC1 but Citroën was the best option. I have set myself a goal, to bring them back the title and I am going to wet my shirt to achieve it.

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